San Jose State football: Grading the Week

It’s not imperative that SJSU win the conference championship or the division title — nor would it be realistic to expect as much.

But it’s vital that the Spartans show they can compete as a mid-level program in the Mountain West in order to take advantage of the momentum generated last season.

There is plenty of time to accomplish that goal, but SJSU needs to get better in a hurry.

The next two weeks are critical if the Spartans are going to make a positive first impression in their new conference.

Result: Lost to Utah State 40-12

Grade: F

Comment: Pretty close to an all-systems failure, with poor community support adding to the list of woes. (Sure, Friday nights are a tough sell. But 10,533 for the conference opener against a quality opponent? Yikes.)

* The Spartans had to execute at a near-flawless level in order to beat USU, and they didn’t come close:

SJSU committed 11 penalties and four turnovers. It couldn’t run the ball consistently (2.9 yards per carry) and was, once again, abominable in the red zone: one touchdown in four trips.

In three games against FBS competition, the Spartans are averaging 16.3 points. You’d never know they possess one of the best quarterbacks in the country and a veteran offensive line.

*** Yes, yes, yes: The injuries to tailback Tyler Ervin and receiver Noel Grigsby are a significant deterrent to success. It’s only fair to point out that coach Ron Caragher and his staff are playing with less than a full complement of playmakers.

(Then again, SJSU’s overall level of strength and fitness was far worse then than it is now, and that team opened with Alabama.)

*** But the injuries do not, in any way, shape or form, account for all of SJSU’s shortcomings.

The red zone problems, for instance, are nothing new. In four games, the Spartans have scored a paltry three touchdowns on 12 opportunities from the 20 in.

That’s right: 3 TDs in 12 trips.

Of all the problems – and there are a bevy of them — the red zone malfunctions stand as the greatest indictment of the coaching staff.

It doesn’t appear that Caragher and offensive coordinator Jimmie Dougherty have a sense for what to do with their personnel when the real estate gets tight. Whatever their plan, it hasn’t been nearly creative enough.

*** Equally troublesome is the Spartans’ inability to compete for 60 minutes.

Consider these early/mid- fourth quarter scores:

Stanford 27, SJSU 6
Minnesota 36, SJSU 17
Utah State 37, SJSU 12

I’ve seen all or most of every game and can’t help but notice a lack of grit, especially as compared to last year.

The Spartans aren’t able to make do on resolve and moxie until a break goes their way and the momentum shifts.

Good teams put themselves in position to win even when they aren’t playing well. SJSU hasn’t done that.

*** Now, let’s be fair to the new coaching staff: The schedule has been difficult. Were Mike MacIntyre still in charge, the Spartans might very well be 1-3 (although I’d lean toward 2-2, and more competitive in the losses).

But San Jose State has a chance to regain its footing in the next two weeks with Hawaii and Colorado State – two games that will tell us much about the shape of the season.

The Spartans have won the past three games against the teams: They demolished Colorado State last year and also beat the Rams in ’11, and they edged Hawaii two years ago.

In other words, neither team is out of SJSU’s league. Neither team is Utah State.

If the Spartans get thumped in both, that would be a very, very bad sign.

Next up: at Hawaii.

The matchup: The Warriors are 0-4, but it’s a tad misleading because of the grueling schedule: USC and Fresno State at home, Nevada and Oregon State on the road.

And they pushed Fresno State — the best team in the West division — to the brink Saturday in their most encouraging performance thus far.

* Hawaii has no running game to speak of, but quarterback Sean Schroeder was impressive against FSU and will put pressure on the Spartans’ secondary.

SJSU will need at least 30 points to win. Given how things have gone the past few weeks, that could be problematic without help (i.e., big plays) from the defense and special teams.